The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-11-26
ENGLISH rRApes.uNIoNs.
Tho Three Aspects Under which They Aes
Described OfiicIaiiy.

Tho Three Aspccts Under which They Are
Described Of'icIaliy.
The British Board of Trade has Just
issued report on the tradcs-unions in
England, complied under the authority
Of the Government by John Burnett,
the labor correspondent Of the Board Of
Trade. and who has himself been a
working-man. The report presents
many interesting facts in relation to
the trades-unons Of that country and
the conservative influence they have
exercised upon working-men generally.
The report deals with eighteen of the
principal trades-unions, as representa-.
tive Of all, and effectually disposes OF
the common charge that such unions
encourage strikes. As organized in
England they are, above all, beneficial
societies, but, Mt the Same time, arc
always ready TO defend the rights Of
labor, and, while discouraging strikes
so long as the settlement Of contro-
versy between the employer and his
working-men is possible, they do not
hesitate, on failure to agree, to sup
port the strikers and to furnish money
toward maintaining their families.
Trades-unions in England are described
under three aspects they are aggres-
sive, defensive and provident. They
are aggressive in their demands for
higher wages when the conditions of
trade seem to warrant it; they are de-
fensive as against an unjust lowering
of wages, and they are provident in
caring for their members. The contri-
button of each member to his particular
union ranges from ten to fifteen dollars
per year, or between three and four
per cent. of his earnings. This contri-
button entities him to a certain measure
of relief when sick or unemployed, and
in the event of death to sum of money
for his family and the payment of the
funeral expenses.
AS an evidence OF the comparatively
small amount expended on strikes, Mr..
Burnett cites the stonemasons. who, in
cluding the bricklaycrs, have the largest
number of members organized into
unions, but who, in forty years, have
expended only $1s5, 900 in connection
with labor disputes. while they hav,
distributed among their members ovel
two millions in benefits. The Amalga
mated Society of Engineers, one of tn,
largest and wcalthiest of the unions
and whose members are more liable I,
be called upon for assistance than an,
other, has spent on strikes and dispute
out $450,000 in thirty-six years, but ha
paid out in benefits $12,5OO.OOO. Ii
three years the society has paid out t.
unemployed members 81, 1856, 900.
In other trades, and particular
those of the boiler-makers and shin
builders, the sums expended during
like period have been very large. Th
total number of registered trades union
in England in 1885 was 207, with a
aggregate membership Of over 319, ZOO
an aggregate capital of $3,017, 900, an
an annual income of $3.O67, 200. w
cite these remarkable official figures t
show that while the English trades
unions are offensive or defensive wher
the interests of labor are concerned
they are. above all. beneficial societie
for the relief of the sick, the unemploye
and the superannuated, and at all time
cautious Of entering into strikes, bt
cause the money strikes call for lessen
by so much the s., 100000 annually rt
ceived and distributed on account {
the relief fund. Baltimore Sun.